Make February Your Filter Replacement Month

If ever there was a time that winter blues really kick in, February is it. It has been cold for a while now, and we’re stuck in limbo between winter and spring. Will the warm and longer sunny days ever come? Luckily, we’ve come up with a way to help distract you from staring sadly out your window, wishing for warmer weather. Paul Davis is hereby announcing February as the winner of Filter Replacement Month.

 

There’s not much that can be done around your home in the dead of winter. Cleaning up around outside is pretty useless, and if you have to clean once more inside you’ll likely go crazy. However, we’re willing to speculate there’s at least one item in your household that hasn’t been cleaned in a long while: your filters. Make use of your spare time this winter and get those filters cleaned and looking like new. Here’s how.

Furnace Filters: These come to mind quickly when anyone says “filter” in the winter. When was the last time you replaced the filter in your furnace? Take a few moments to pull the filter from its place. Write down the size and the way it was inserted into your furnace so you don’t put the replacement in backwards. From there, go to your local hardware store and find a filter that will help you start fresh in February.

Dryer Filters: It’s important to clean your dryer filter after every load. Not only does it help prevent fires, it’s also good for your clothes. Excess lint in your dryer vent can cause problems, too. Dryer vents should be cleaned about once a year to avoid problems like excessive lint in your home.

Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps: Often these units become covered in ice or debris such as dirt, sticks, and grass. When was the last time you cleaned off your unit? If you can’t recall, take 30 minutes to clean everything off and cover the unit if possible. Also, be sure to keep the area around these units free of plants and shrubbery.

Kitchen Range: Did you know that your kitchen range has a filter? The screens under fans often accumulate dust and grease over time, which reduces their effectiveness. Be sure to clean the screen this February according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If you have a unit that also recirculates air through the hood and back into your kitchen, replace the carbon filter most are equipped with.

Replacing important filters around your home is a task we easily let fall by the wayside. This February (and every February) remember to replace your filters and keep your home appliances in good working order.